Firearm accessory mount

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for mounting an accessory device to a firearm includes an adapter member formed to the contours of the firearm&#39;s surface, an adjacent rail having two longitudinal rail guides protruding from each longitudinal side of the rail for slidably mating with a rail compatible accessory device, and an adhesive member adhering the adapter member and its attached components to the firearm.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to an apparatus for mounting an accessory device to a firearm.

DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART

Many firearms include a standardized accessory rail or accessory mount built directly into the firearm's body. The rail allows an operator to attach various rail compatible accessories such as a laser sight or weapon mounted flashlight directly to the firearm. Because some firearms do not include accessory mounts, operators either have to omit carrying an accessory device or purchase an adapter, many of which are unstable, require permanent firearm modifications or disassembly, and are known to cause excessive wear to the firearm.

Novak designs, Inc. produces a pistol accessory mount sold as a “1911 Tactical Light Rail.” This accessory mount requires that the pistol be permanently altered by drilling bores into the pistol to secure the rail.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,076,908 (2006) and U.S. Pat. No 7,334,365 (2008) both issued to Kim describe rail mount adapters. The first requires use of a pin that is inserted into a transverse bore within a pistol's frame and requires partial disassembly of the pistol to install. Because of pistol variances, not all pistols contain a compatible bore. The latter device must utilize an existing rail to secure the rail device. Both devices make direct contact with the body of the firearm and can cause excessive marring or wear.

U.S. Pat. No 7,395,627 (2008) and U.S. Pat. No 7,334,366 (2008) both issued to Mathews, et al also describe rail mount adapters. The first device requires that the rail adapter be mounted directly to the trigger guard, which can cause increased wear and become unstable when recoil is present. The latter device also requires use of a pin that is inserted into a transverse bore within pistol's frame for compatibility and requires partial disassembly of the pistol to install.

My invention provides a highly stable mounting apparatus. It avoids direct contact of the accessory mount to a firearm by providing a buffer to protect the body of the firearm from wear. It allows an operator to easily mount an accessory device to the firearm without permanently altering the firearm, disassembling portions of the firearm, or using an existing rail. It also allows the operator to choose the longitudinal placement of the accessory mount when installed onto the firearm.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one embodiment, an apparatus for mounting an accessory device to a firearm is described.

Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, an apparatus for mounting an accessory device to a firearm includes an adapter member formed to the contours of the firearm's surface, an adjacent rail having two longitudinal rail guides for slidably mating with a rail compatible accessory device, and an adhesive member adhering the adapter member and its attached components to the firearm.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a right side view of an accessory mount installed on a pistol.

FIG. 2 is a left side view of the accessory mount shown in FIG. 1 with section lines.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the accessory mount shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the accessory mount shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the accessory mount and firearm of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the accessory mount shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the accessory mount according to the preferred embodiment of FIG. 2 taken at the section plane and in the direction indicated by lines 7-7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Unless noted otherwise, “longitudinal” describes a direction parallel to slide 9 of FIG. 1; “transverse” describes a horizontal direction perpendicular to slide 9 when slide 9 is horizontally positioned as shown in FIG. 1; “above” means vertically above when the firearm 10 is held with its slide 9 horizontal; “below” or “beneath” means vertically below when the firearm 10 is held with the slide 9 horizontal. In addition, “length” describes a longitudinal measurement; “height” describes a vertical measurement, “depth” or “width” describes a transverse measurement.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 6 show a mounting apparatus according to one embodiment. The mounting apparatus has an elongated rail 7 comprised of platform 6, guides 5, slots 3, and grooves 4. Platform 6 is an elongated base structure having two longitudinal guides 5 protruding on each of its longitudinal sides. Platform 6 acts as a base for the mounting apparatus and provides a common platform for guides 5. Guides 5 are pointed protrusions that provide a guide or track for slidably mating with rail compatible accessories, which are well known to the art and described herein.

FIG. 4 shows, three depressions or slots 3 intersecting guides 5 and platform 6 in a transverse direction. Each slot is equal in dimension and runs through the entire transverse width of both guides 5 and platform 6.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 7, two longitudinal grooves 4 extend vertically above each side of platform 6 so that they are adjacent to guides 5 and share the same longitudinal length as guides 5 and platform 6. Grooves 4 provide additional clearance for an accessory to be mounted and also provide additional vertical length to the mounting apparatus.

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show two adapter members 2 extending vertically above grooves 4 on each side so that they are contoured to the surface shape of frame 8 of FIG. 1. Adapter members 2 share the same longitudinal length as grooves 4, guides 5, and platform 6. The two adapter members 2 are collectively concave in shape and provide a support structure for increasing surface area around frame 8.

FIG. 3, FIG. 6, and FIG. 7 show a flexible adhesive member 1 adhered inside of the concave structure of adapter members 2 so that it also resembles a concave structure. In preferred embodiment, adhesive member 1 is comprised of a removable double-sided adhesive tape. The adhesive member 1 joins both adapter members 2 to the firearm 10 of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 5, to use the mounting apparatus on a firearm 10, an operator must adhere adhesive member 1 within the concave portion of adapter members 2. Once adhered, adapter members 2, and its contiguous rail 7 are ready to be mounted on firearm 10. To mount, the operator must position the now concave adhesive member 1 and its adhered components to the lower surface of frame 8 so that it fits to the contours of frame 8, thus adhering the mounting apparatus to firearm 10. Once secured to firearm 10, rail 7 should be parallel to slide 9.

An accessory such an illumination accessory 12 can now be readily mounted to the longitudinal guides 5 located on rail 7. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, illumination accessory 12 includes a pair of guide tongues 11 for slidably mating with the longitudinal guides 5 of the mounting apparatus. A latch on the illumination accessory 12 housing may co-act with the transverse slots 3 for preventing further longitudinal movement of the illumination accessory 12 along the accessory mount when the illumination accessory 12 is at a predetermined position. Illumination accessories of this type are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,378,237 (2002) issued to Mathews, et al.

Adapter members 2 should be sized accordingly to support frame 8 of FIG. 1. Longitudinal grooves 4 each measure approximately 4.25 cm in length, 3 mm in vertical height, and 1.5 cm in width. The longitudinal guides 5 sharing a common platform 6 collectively measure approximately 4.25 cm in length, 5 mm in peak height, with a peak transverse width of approximately 2 cm. Slots 3 measure approximately 5 mm in longitudinal length, with a transverse width of 2 cm. The recessed portion of the slots 3 is approximately 3 mm in height and the separation in front of and between each of the slots 3 is approximately 5 mm in longitudinal length. Although specific measurements are described, the dimensions and number of grooves 8 may be adjusted without limiting the overall scope of the embodiments described.

In the preferred embodiment, adhesive member 1 is the only separate component of the mounting apparatus. The remaining adapter members 2 and rail 7 should be machined as a singular contiguous body.

The adhesive member 1 is produced by 3M Company and is available under 3M™ VHB™ Tapes. The 3M™ VHB™ tape provides a high bond double sided adhesive tape capable of strongly adhering various alloys and other materials together. It is widely used in both construction and aerospace industries and is well known within the art. Other adhesives are available and may be used without limiting the overall scope of the embodiment described.

In the preferred embodiment, the accessory mount can be formed from an aluminum alloy by use of either manual or CNC machining. CNC machining is well known within the art for its ability to manipulate alloys to precise tolerances and specifications.

From the description above, a number of advantages become evident. For example, an operator can adjust longitudinal placement of the mounting apparatus onto frame 8 to accommodate their personal preference. The mounting apparatus is not dependent on the trigger guard, which can become unstable and shift during recoil. The flexible adhesive member 1 acts as a buffer between the firearm 10 and the mounting apparatus, thus preventing marring and increased wear to the firearm 10. Lastly, no permanent alterations or dissassembly of the firearm 10 is required for installation. Other advantages may become present to those familiar with the art.

Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiment but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiment thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example, the accessory mount can have measurement variances, materials may be substituted, and production methods may vary. In addition, the adapter arms 2 can also be mounted directly to a barrel on a fixed barrel firearm and the shape can be altered to conform to a desired surface shape. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given. 

1. An accessory mount for a firearm comprising an elongated rail structure having two longitudinal guides protruding from each longitudinal side of said rail structure, a plurality of elongated adapter members shaped so that they conform to the surface shape of said firearm, said adapter members being joined to said rail structure and adhered to a surface of said firearm.
 2. The accessory mount of claim 1 wherein said adapter members are adhered to the surface of said firearm with double sided tape.
 3. The accessory mount of claim 1 wherein the number of said adapter members is two.
 4. The accessory mount of claim 1 wherein said adapter members are semi-flexible.
 5. The accessory mount of claim 1 wherein said rail structure is comprised of a rigid material.
 6. The accessory mount of claim 1 wherein said rail structure includes a plurality of transverse slots.
 7. The accessory mount of claim 1 wherein said rail structure includes two longitudinal depressions or grooves on each longitudinal side of said rail structure.
 8. An accessory mount for a firearm, comprising: (a) an elongated rail structure having two longitudinal guides protruding from each longitudinal side of said rail structure, (b) a plurality of adapter members collectively conforming to the surface shape of said firearm and being joined to said rail structure so that said adapter members are located adjacent to said rail structure, and (c) means for adhering said adapter members to the surface of said firearm.
 9. The accessory mount of claim 8 wherein said rail structure is composed of a rigid material
 10. The accessory mount of claim 8 wherein said adapter members are semi-flexible.
 11. The adhering means of claim 8 wherein said means is composed of a double sided tape.
 12. The accessory mount of claim 8 wherein said rail structure includes a plurality of transverse slots.
 13. The accessory mount of claim 8 wherein the number of said adapter members is two.
 14. The accessory mount of claim 8 wherein said rail structure includes two longitudinal depressions or grooves on each longitudinal side of said rail structure.
 15. A method of securing an accessory mount to a firearm comprising: (a) selecting a position on a surface of said firearm, for affixation of a plurality of elongated adapter members, said adapter members shaped so that they conform to the surface shape of said firearm and are joined to an elongated rail structure having two longitudinal guides protruding from each longitudinal side of said rail structure, (b) adhering the adapter members to the surface of said firearm, (c) attaching a rail compatible accessory device to said rail structure
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the adhering step comprises placing a double-sided adhesive between the surface of said firearm and said adapter members.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the attaching step comprises slidably mating said rail compatible accessory device with said guides.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the selecting step comprises choosing a longitudinal position on said firearm for affixation of said adapter arms. 